In Order To Listen, You Must First Be Silent
…”Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak…” James 1:19
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An anagram is a word or phrase formed by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase, using every original letter exactly once.
I find it quite interesting that listen and silent share the exact same letters (e.i.l.n.s.t), Beyond the simple rearrangement of letters, the relationship between these two words carries a deeper meaning, acting as a mirror. In order to listen properly, one must first achieve silence. I for one had struggled to maintain the necessary quietness to listen effectively. Even when I believed my listening skills had improved, my mind was often detached from the conversation at hand. Honestly, I rarely focused my full attention on a conversation unless it involved a heated exchange or friendly debate. Even in those moments, I was not listening to comprehend; rather, I was listening strictly to formulate a perfect rebuttal. My brain treated the conversation like a game or a battle to be won. Don’t judge me, I'm sure that I am not the only one. The irony was, I still had the audacity to demand that my own voice be heard.
But that was then, I have since learned that there is a difference between hearing to respond and listening to understand. Now, when I catch my thoughts wandering to what I’m going to have for dinner or find myself mindlessly scrolling on social media while the caller on the other line rattles on, I quickly reel my focus back in and force myself to be present. if I do miss a portion of what was said, I would be honest enough to confess that my mind wandered and ask them to repeat what was said. Even during heated debates when I find myself being talked over, I no longer fight for control. Instead, I simply share a truth that God revealed to me: If God wanted us to talk more than we listen, He would have given us two mouths instead of two ears. That perspective usually calms the storm.
I have come to learn that true listening requires a quiet mind and a peaceful environment. You cannot fully process what someone else is saying if you are creating internal noise or mentally constructing your next reply. The relationship between silent and listen makes it one of my favorite anagrams. The letters themselves link the internal state silence with the external action listening, proving that the two concepts are inseparable. They must go hand-in-hand, for without silence, conversational chaos inevitably follows. I encourage you to listen more than you speak, especially during heated conversations. Embracing this practice grounds your spirit and helps you remain slow to anger, just as we are instructed in James 1:19. So keep those double-breasted lips closed and open those beautiful Dumbo ears. in closing, I’ll leave you with Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” And if I may add one piece of advice: keep your lips closed.
